AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2008 > July > 14 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USForget the calendar. College football season is here!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Silly me. After taking some time off I thought we would be able to sort of ease back into our daily visits about the game that we all love.
But this summer has again proven what I’ve been saying for years. There is no off-season for college football any more.
Yes, the calendar says the ACC (July 20-22) and SEC (July 23-25) preseason meetings are just around the corner. It also says that the first games won’t be played until August 28. But gentle readers, you can forget the calendar. Football is already here. And it’s good to be back.
Here are five examples I offer as proof that college football season never ends:
1. UGA VI: Only in college football and only in the South could the passing of a mascot evoke such emotion as when UGA VI passed away in June. I had a couple of friends from newspapers in other parts of the country call to ask why this was such a big deal. I tried to explain but bless them, you have to live in the South to understand.
The reverend Claude McBride gave the final blessing at the funeral at Sanford Stadium and ended it with:
“Sic’em UGA. Woof! Woof! Amen.”
Sorry. But you just don’t get that in the NFL. And you sure as heck don’t get it in the Big Ten.
2. James W. Conradt: Mr. Conradt, a Nebraska fan who should know better at age 36, decided he had read enough smack from Oklahoma fans on a Cornhusker message board. So he wrote a completely bogus story saying that two Oklahoma players, Sam Bradford and Landry Jones, had been busted on charges of cocaine distribution.
In order to give the story an air of authenticity, Mr. Conradt lifted the internet site header for The Daily Oklahoman newspaper and attached it to the story before posting it on the message board.
Needless to say, the folks down at the Daily Oklahoman were not happy and used their vast resources to track down Mr. Conradt. The newspaper is considering legal action. That newspaper also quotes Kevin Jones, father of Landry, as saying that he and Mr. Conradt would have their day in court as well.
In an interview with The Daily Oklahoman, Mr. Conradt said: “I just wanted to get them (Oklahoma fans) riled up, I guess. It was a bad decision.”
No. Wearing one blue and one black sock is a bad decision. Driving through downtown Atlanta during construction is a bad decision. This guy may have broken the law and intentionally defamed two innocent kids for his own amusement. He is getting ready to go down a real bad stretch of road.
3. Rich Rod, Michigan pay the $4 mil: A funny thing happened in the case of West Virginia vs. Rich Rodriguez, the Mountaineers’ former coach. WVU had a contract that said Rodriguez owed them $4 million for bolting to Michigan. Rich Rod said no way. The case appeared headed to court until it looked like Michigan president Mary Sue Coleman might have to sit down for a deposition. Then things got settled in a hurry. Now Rodriguez will pay $1.5 million and Michigan will pony up the rest. This was a huge event. Here’s why: Schools now know that they can hold coaches feet to the fire if there is a big buyout in the contract. They also know they can make life miserable for the other school and therefore get the money. It will make other schools think twice before hiring away somebody else’s coach.
4. Fulmer’s future is off the table: Despite the fact that Tennessee won 10 games and was two bad passes away from beating LSU, the BCS champions, in the SEC championship game, some fans were still questioning the long-term viability of Phillip Fulmer as the Volunteers’ head coach. Athletics director Mike Hamilton essentially took the issue off the table this summer by giving Fulmer a contract extension through 2014 that will pay him $2.4 million this season with a salary that will grow to $3.3 million in the final season of the deal. There is no question that Fulmer wants to reach two big goals: At 147 career victories he needs just 27 more to pass the legendary Robert Neyland as Tennessee’s winningest coach. With 55 wins Fulmer would be at 202, which would make him second only to Alabama’s Bear Bryant in SEC history. There is also no question that Tennessee has not won an SEC championship since 1998. This will make for an interesting dynamic if Tennessee stumbles against Florida (Sept. 20) and Auburn (Sept. 27).
5. Gators take a hit at safety: College football season never ends because at any time something can happen that can change the entire complexion of a football team. Florida’s greatest weakness in 2007 was the secondary and now comes word that starting strong safety Dorian Munroe will miss the season after tearing an ACL in voluntary drills. Florida has lost a bunch of players at that position and it is worth noting that junior Jamar Hornsby was kicked off the team earlier this summer after being arrested for credit card fraud. The Gators appear down to a redshirt freshman, Ahmad Black, Bryan Thomas (who is coming off surgery), and true freshman Will Hill at the position opposite Major Wright. A cornerback may have to switch positions. That is what makes college football different. You can’t go to the waiver wire and pick up another player. You play with what you have.
Comments
By SickPuppy
July 14, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this
Welcome back, Tony. Better check the math on Fulmer’s win total. 147 plus 65 equals 212, not 202.
You are quite right that nowadays the college football season never ends. But some folks like Mr. Conradt could use a break to get a little perspective.
By Tony Barnhart
July 14, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this
Thanks, SickPuppy. I fixed the math on Fulmer. Math was never my strength. That’s why I had to become a writer.
TB
By aubieGA
July 14, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this
The only good dog is a dead dog, especially one that represents the lowest class of fans on the planet. One less slobbering, stinking POS bulldog is a could thing.
By reality check
July 14, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this
There are three types of people. Those who can count and those who can’t.
By Nurse Cratchett
July 14, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this
reality check, I don’t want to hear any more comments about Reggie Ball from you.
You have missed your last 3 anger management classes. I expect to see you Wednesday.
By GatorGuy
July 14, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this
Tony - When did Major Wright become a corner? He’s always been a safety.
By davengville
July 14, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this
Welcome back Mr. Tony, don’t waste your time trying to splian(sic) our love affair with UGA to yankees/others. If you didn’t grow up with it-you will never understand. Phil Fulmer will go only as far as his assistants can carry him (insert David Cutcliff name here). And yes, the gaytors took a major hit at safety with 2 ACL injuries last week, so fake to Moreno and hit the tight end on a deep seam route on the second play Mike Bobo. Nuff said
By Flip
July 14, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this
aubieGA…
You are an excellent example of what happens when first cousins procreate.
By reality check
July 14, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this
yes Nurse Cratchett
By dave5011+
July 14, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this
reality check what’s the third type of person??????YOU CAN’T COUNT!!!!!
By shane #1
July 14, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this
Welcome back Tony. 1- Americans love dogs, the UGAs are great for PR. 2- The invictive spewed on football blogs is amazing, and a little frightening. It’s just a game people, get a grip. 3- People are held to contracts every day. Sign a Real Estate contract, back out, and see what happens. Why should coaches be any different. Coaches having to honor Their word, what a novel idea! 4- Fulmer did a great job of coaching last year, and many UT supporters gave Him no credit for it. His team was on the brink of disaster and He brought them through and took Them to the SECCG. His future should be secure. 5- So now what happens to the Gators “much improved” defense? For all the talk of weakness in UF’s DBs, I was in Jacksonville last year and it wasn’t the DBs that cost UF the game. The Gators got beat on both sides of the line. Control the line of scrimmage and You control the game, it’s as simple as that. When a back like Moreno has a hole that one could drive a truck through Your DBs are in trouble.
By Flip
July 14, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this
dave5011+….
reality check was making a joke; and an old one at that.
Obviously it flew right over your head. LOL
By buck
July 14, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this
you forgot 6) UGA players back in Jail
By saban's pr rep
July 14, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this
TB,
No mention of 10 arrests during Mr. Saban’s tenure? Everyone else blogs about it, 4 million, 7 wins, 10 arrests, you know the whole bit. Mr. Saban has assured me that he will silence his critics this season with a double dip of the Georgia dome!
By 1eyedJack
July 14, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this
I’m sooooo excited!!!
By dave5011+
July 14, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this
Flip,
I was making a joke you idiot!!!obviously that FLIPPED over your head.
By FLA DAWG
July 14, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this
Tony, Welcome back. The arrest of one and the injury of another UF defensive back only bolsters my belief UF will struggle this season. Look at their last two games. LSU and Michigan. Those teams poured through both O and D lines. If the D secondary is in trouble then the O and D lines are in more of it.
By shane #1
July 14, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this
Nurse Cratchett, will You please check on My friend Zeb? The anger management program doesn’t seem to be working. He was hyperventalating again last night,so I am afraid His meds need adjusting. BTW, please remind Him to breathe into a paper bag, not plastic. Thanks. GatorGuy, Tony had Major Wright confused with UFs new CB from the Far East, Captain Wong, an understandable mistake. Sabans PR guy, Man! I thought I had some rotten jobs in my career! I hope that You are well paid!
By Flip
July 14, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this
dave5011+….
Nice try to cover your rear after the fact.
You should apply for a job on the Obama campaign staff.
By saban's pr rep
July 14, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this
It’s a pretty easy job, he doesn’t say much to the press!!!only on SEC media days. I keep him at bay for the most part. I was on Vacation at his lake house(you know perks of the job) last year after the LA-whatever speach. this year i took my vac. very early.
By JB
July 14, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this
Dawgs will beat someone this year that all the country says we lose(LSU) and lose to someone we SHOULD beat ( hate to say it, Tenn or Auburn). GO DAWGS,
By mcdawg
July 14, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
-this Lemon thing is quite tragic for all parties, i hope there is a way this guy can work himself back on the team
By the old ballcoach
July 14, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
Tony, yet another blog without even mentioning My name. You can forget Saturday morning at East Lake Pal, You are out of the foursome! I have some one-liners about Fulmers “fat” new contract, these are real zingers too. Now I am going to give them to Bisher, put that in Your pipe and smoke it.
By Spike
July 14, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this
Welcome back, Tony. We missed you. AubieGA “..a could thing”? Nice, moron. That slobbering,POS bulldog was sure Dawg enough to whip your a$$ on national TV.
By saint nick
July 14, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this
Saban’s Pr rep? Who are you? I have never met you. I don’t need a pr rep. you are right about the dome this year. we will be making a second trip the ATL.Who’s gonna beat me in the West? Miles doesn’t have any of my Players left, Tommy likes to duck hunt instead of recruit good players,Croom has no chance(he wants my job), Petrino, Please!!!, Nutt, nuff said.
By Gen Neyland
July 14, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this
Tony
Thought I saw you in Sabatical City. A little cafe at the corner of Cheze and Wyne, early morning with a double espress and the Horse Racing Times..? Maybe not. Welcome home…
By Michael Scharff
July 14, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this
Welcome back Tony. Now, would you please at least attempt to explain UGA VI to Terence? Nah, never mind. Terence doesn’t appear to exhibit enough class to warrant the explanation…
By the old ballcoach
July 14, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this
saint nick, sounds like you have an ego problem.[i don’t understand people like that]You don’t need a pr man all right,and the elephant man didn’t need a plastic surgeon.take a hint pal,don’t let finebaum keep handling your pr.why don’t you drop in at my house and i will set you up with a couple of recruits before bowden gets them.you know how i feel about the bowdens.we can play some golf and tell fulmer jokes.you need to laugh a little son,life ain’t that serious.speaking of not serious,why are you people worried about terrance?he did a whole column kissing meyer’s butt.meyer schmeyer,i invented florida football and everybody knows it.
By saint nick
July 14, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this
Who is finebaum?????Never met him either!!!ball coach, you better be glad you don’t play us this year!!!Mike shula dropped 35+ on you in your own stadium!!!that tin can you play your home games at. I hear Jr. is taking over the Offense, what your chunk and duck doesn’t work in conflictcockville?Play some more golf and shut your smart mouth before i put my foot in it at media days
By Future Beat Writer/Columnist
July 14, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
Mr. B
Is Florida’s Freshman Safety, Will Hill, good enough to be a difference maker, during his first season on the field?
Which offense will be more explosive, the Gators or Dawgs?
Which SEC program will show the most improvement in 2008?
Glad to see Rich Rod AND Michigan pay up! I don’t understand why coaches and (Pro) athletes are rarely forced to honor their contracts. This seems like a positive step in the right direction.
Go Dawgs!
By the old ballcoach
July 14, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
saint nick,so don’t take my advice.i don’t give a pile of crap on a rolling do-nut what you do.man,try to help some people and see what do you get,smart mouth from a jerk that ain’t worth a pimple on old man bowden’s butt.do you think i would offer you bowden’s recruits if i had to play you?i wish you were my qb so i could yank your butt out of the game and gnaw you a new one in front of god and everybody.
By P Dawg
July 14, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this
1) UGA VI was a damn good dog and will be missed.
2) The guy made a mistake and everyone should let it go. It’s not like he stole a dead girl’s credit card or something.
3) Michigan screwed up. Let these coaches pay their own tabs. Did Michigan say they were going to pay for his buyout when he agreed to leave WV? No. End of story.
4) Fulmer, love him or hate him, has done a great job at UT. The fans are just mad because he hasn’t even sniffed a NC in a while. That’s the nature of the business. Win one, and they want you to win it every year. It doesn’t work that way.
5) Gators have a suspect defense anyway. They have enough talent to alleviate some weaknesses but this is a very serious position and they better find someone to fill their shoes.
By saint nick
July 14, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this
Help me!!!I got just as many NC as you do!!!!Florida football stinks!!!!!so does chutes and ladderscockville!!!!I don’t need your help relative to my “process”.It is what it is.
By saint nick
July 14, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this
Oh Yeah, about your recruiting help, where was My team in the final recruiting rankings!Where were you? My “PROCESS” works, yours obviously doesn’t!!!!scoreboard!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By FLA DAWG
July 14, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this
On the face of it I believe The Dawgs should be rated somewhere in the top five. But because of the screwy BCS, you’ve got a much better shot at playing for the NC if picked as 1 or 2 starting the season - just ask Auburn fans.
By Dick Rod
July 14, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
There’s a big difference between a real estate contract and an employment contract. It is a lot more difficult to enfore a contract that impairs one’s ability to generate a livelihood; many people sign contracts that limit who they can work for when leaving their current position, but when challenged in court they don’t always hold up. And there should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that UM knew exactly what they were getting into and how much they would pay on the buyout clause when they started and finished negotiations.
By saban's pr rep
July 14, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this
Auburn didn’t play for the NC because of a super weak OOC schedule, and they didn’t beat Bama like they COULD have. Also, they played Tennessee in the regular season and the SEC CG, which also hurt their SOS.
By the old ballcoach
July 14, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
process? that sounds like a new hairdo for pac-man jones!oh well,chump don’t want no help,chump don’t get no help.since we are both jerks i just thought we could pal around some and play some golf.richt won’t play with me anymore.i swear, throw a golf club at the beer lady one time and he get’s his back up. what’s a man to do?my ball hit a tree and i had already thrown my visor.tubbs won’t play either,i didn’t know he was so sensative about his ears.fulmer doesn’t like my fat jokes,miles is an idiot and petrino cheats.meyer?please!all he does is take credit for my hard work.guess i’ll have to give nutt a call.at least i can take that loser’s money.damn!
By MR. PREDICTOR
July 14, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
WAKE WILL BE GREAT IN 2008 Dont expect there football program to go away anytime soon…..this team is for real. !!!!!!!!! So who will win “The Acc Football” ? STAY TUNED - YOU WILL BE SHOCKED G A I N
By saint nick
July 14, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this
We can play Shoal creek during media days, i’m so beloved in B’ham when i go there i dont have to pay for nothing, if i wanted a new car they’d give it to me. the owner of Shoal Creek is a big time Bama fan, so we can play for free, you know perks for coaching at Bama!!!!
By saban's pr rep
July 14, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
Mr. Saban,
As your PR rep, I strongly advise you not to take any “free” stuff next wweek at media days. You don’t know who will be watching!!!Fulmer might be Watching you, He is known for jacking coaches to the NCAA.
By the old ballcoach
July 14, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this
nick,shoal creek sounds great to me.we can pair up and have a good time making fun of baby faced richt and ears and fatso.speaking of fatso,don’t make fun of crooms.i was trying to have a little fun last year and asked him to caddy for us.the man has no sense of humor,and boy is he fast for a big guy!damn near took my head off with a nine iron.later,i have some crank calls to make to bowden.
By saint nick
July 14, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this
Shutup you little punk!!! I do EVERYTHING by the book, you can’t see me!!!!!
By saint nick
July 14, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
Me and Crooms don’t talk until gameday, you know he wants my job, he’d crawl to T Town for my job.I’ll have to do my rounds with all the media Larva then we’ll hit the slopes of Shoal Creek.
By 6.
July 14, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this
Can CMR win a big one? Better ?…Can CMR even get them to the big one? Still another, with all the hype about being #1, will CMR be barked at if he does not?
By CrimsonRedScarlett
July 14, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this
By shane #1
July 14, 2008 7:07 PM | Link to this
saint nick, Of course Crooms wants Your job. Hell, you make 4 Mill a year. Everybody this side of Gates, Trump, and Tiger Woods wants Your job, including Me!
By saint nick
July 14, 2008 7:48 PM | Link to this
of corse you want my job, i will end up being the greatest of all time. everyone wants to be that
By shane #1
July 14, 2008 8:25 PM | Link to this
saint nick, Greatest of all time be damned! I want 4 million bucks. I don’t care if I am the worst Bama coach since “Ears” Whitworth. Once I got My hands on the loot I would retire, “for the good of the team”. No harm, no foul. I could live in Costa Rica for a long time on that kind of money, and catch a lot of big old “sails”.
By FLA DAWG
July 14, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this
Auburn went UNDEFEATED that year. ANY UNDEFEATED SEC TEAM deserves a shot at the NC.
By War Eagle
July 14, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this
Nice to have you back Tony, don`t forget Auburn is still in the SEC…
By Matt
July 14, 2008 10:42 PM | Link to this
But you just don’t get that in the NFL. And you sure as heck don’t get it in the Big Ten.
IS that supposed to be an insult to the NFL or the Big Ten - that they don’t have reverence for a disgusting slobbery dog? The rest of the country doesn’t think it’s cute, they just laugh at UGA fans because it’s such a joke.
By shane #1
July 14, 2008 11:20 PM | Link to this
War eagle, Steele picked AU to win the west, unfortunately for You guys, He picked Them to lose to UF in the SECCG. AU beat the Gators twice in a row, once in Their BCSNC year and then at home. Go figure. He picks UF and tOSU to play for the BCSNC. LSU, UGA, and AU beat the Gators last year, UGA beat them soundly, and yet many pick UF to win it all. I don’t see it. The Gators don’t have a proven running back, They lost Harvey, Their best D lineman, and three of Their DBs are gone. Where is all this improvement coming from? It seems to Me that They should regress, if anything.
By saint nick
July 15, 2008 5:25 AM | Link to this
i didn’t want to have to tell you this, It’s Auburn, that’s the reasonyou didn’t play for the NC in 04
By D.Ellis
July 15, 2008 8:03 AM | Link to this
Uga is not some sugar foot sophmore who got cut from the cheer squad and is now “dressed” like a mascot. Uga is a REAL MASCOT and dam good dawg!
that dude is a moron. He needs another hobby.
Rich Rod should have to pay more than he is paying IMO. UM should pay the lesser of the 2 amounts.
Great coach who has not had as much success as he did in the late 90’s. Who else would they bring in that could do better???? nuff said.
That is a glaring weakness in that UF Defense. Hill should be playing tons by midseason. Play action is going to be crucial agianst UF this year.
And Welcome back TONY!!!! Write it down, I’m keeping tabs of mine and yours predictions this year and will give you an update each week. When I win you have to let me do a Friday Countdown 1 time!!!!
By Nellie
July 15, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this
Don’t worry about coach Fulmer. He will be there and we will be glad he is there. You mention Florida and Auburn. Tell me why they have a better chance. Between the two I give the nod to Auburn. I think Tennessee rips Florida this year at Neyland.
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August 12, 2008 4:04 AM | Link to this
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August 13, 2008 5:50 AM | Link to this
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